Up until the end of the Middle Ages, when the art of printing first allowed a measure of mass production, books were made by hand one at a time. Every manuscript is therefore unique: even when the scribes and artists copied a model text or image, the result is marked by their own taste and training, not to mention the wishes of their patron. The medieval manuscripts that survive are also precious because of the mere fact of being old; they are witnesses to a culture which prevailed a long time ago (from about AD 500 to AD 1500) and strongly influenced the world in which we now live. The horror of the Reformation though supported the destruction of priceless treasures. In addition to transmitting the texts which interested people at that time, many of these manuscripts still provide much aesthetic pleasure, due to their fine layout and script, and of course, the illuminations.
Here are just a few of my illuminated manuscripts, as I don't have pictures of them all.
To see the manuscript use the headline as a link
If you would rather only look at the manuscripts either one by one or in a slideshow go here
I have only one real miniature ( click here), as they are so very expensive to buy. It is from the beginning of the Gospel according to St. John.
I also have another rarity; a complete booklet from the 15:th century. Click here to see it.
There is a long list of links at the bottom of the page.
A lovely original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible. Latin gothic micro-minuscule script, ruled in red and hand-written in brown ink in two columns of 43 lines, on animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers, one multi-lined illuminated Lombard style initial and elegant marginal penwork in red and blue. The calligraphy is excellent, and the vellum is of the finest quality, extremely thin and smooth. The gothic text is written in remarkably tiny and very well formed letters, so small that there are ten lines of text to the inch! This leaf measures 156 x 103 mm (6 ¼ x 4”). This leaf contains text from III Kings (King James: 1 Kings) 11:12 – 12:21: “In diebus tuis …” (Nevertheless in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son…I will not take away all the kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him prince all the days of his life, for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my precepts. But I will take away the kingdom out of his son’s hand and will give thee ten tribes: And to his son I will give one tribe, that there may remain a lamp for my servant David before me always in Jerusalem the city which I have chosen, that my name might be there…). This leaf originates from Northern France (probably Paris), c. 1260. This is an original, not a reproduction, and is in excellent condition as shown in the photos. Please note that there is one old repair to the vellum in the right margin. The bible that contained this leaf was a very high-quality production, illuminated in Paris and similar to the accomplished work associated by Branner with the Dominican Painter (see Robert Branner, Manuscript Painting in Paris during the Reign of Saint Louis). Provenance: the parent book was a “portable” Bible of the Crusades period, used in the study of theology or preaching of the Gospel around medieval countryside. It was in England by the 17th century; ex collection of Lord Saltoun and later in the famous collection of William Foyle (1885-1963) at Beeligh Abbey.
Breviarium ad usum ordinis S. Benedicti. Two joined leaves of a Latin breviary, handwritten on vellum ca 1380, most likely in a French Benedictine scriptorium. Beautiful example of a medieval Latin manuscript on fine vellum, written in two columns of 32 lines each. The writing is in dark brown ink, occasionally in red ink, embellished by large initials in blue and red, heightened by scroll work. Very fine vellum with the usual age toning. Some soiling or staining, minor fading of the ink in places, slight wrinkling, minor marginal damage. The fold shows traces of having been part of a quire, some leaves have original flaws in the vellum. Small hole near middle of leaf, near gutter margin. Dimensions of each leaf: 6.1" T x 4.25" W(152 mm x 107 mm); writing surface ca 4.75" x 3.15" (122 mm x 80 mm)
A very beautiful vellum manuscript leaf from a French Book of Hours. Written at the beginning of the Renaissance, around 1490. The text is in a regular gothic book hand, in brown/black ink. There are wide margins and many initials and line fillers in red, blue and gold; one initial is large. The text is from the Hours of the Virgin, Sext, the psalms 123 from 1b and 124 till the last verse.. [Nisi quia Dominus erat] in nobis dicat nunc Israhel Nisi quia Dominus erat in nobis cum exsurgerent in nos hominess Forte vivos degluttissent nos cum irasceretur furor eorum in nos Forsitan aqua absorbuisset nos Torrentem pertransivit anima nostra forsitan pertransisset anima nostra aquam intolerabilem Benedictus Dominus qui non dedit nos in captionem dentibus eorum Anima nostra sicut passer erepta est de laqueo venantium laqueus contritus est et nos liberati sumus Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini qui fecit caelum et terram Qui confidunt in domino sicut mons Sion non commovebitur in aeternum qui habitat In Hierusalem montes in circuitu eius et Dominus in circuitu populi sui ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum Quia non relinquet virgam peccatorum super sortem iustorum ut non extendant iusti ad iniquitatem manus suas Benefac Domine bonis et rectis corde Declinantes autem in obliga[tiones adducet Dominus cum operantibus iniquitatem pax super Israhel] [ If it had not been that the Lord was] with us, let Israel now say: If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us perhaps they had swallowed us up alive. When their fury was enkindled against us, perhaps the waters had swallowed us up. Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth. Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the followers. The snare is broken, and we are delivered. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved for ever that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth now and for ever. For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not stretch forth their hands to iniquity. Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart. But such as turn aside into bonds, [the Lord shall lead out with the workers of iniquity: peace upon Israel.] Size : 16.5 x 12 cms [ ca 6.5 x 5 ins ] Condition : very good.
Two joined leaves of a Latin prayer book, handwritten on vellum Illuminated manuscript leaves from a Breviary (book of prayers), in Latin, presumably written in a scriptorium at Rome, Italy and signed on the second leaf of the manuscript: "a .[nno] Do[mini]1265 pater Spezzoni fecit" and on the first leaf rather illegibly "Romae ?? 1265 padre Sapparione?” ca. 1265 Two attached leaves, beautiful example of a medieval Latin manuscript on fine vellum. The writing is in dark brown ink, occasionally in red ink, embellished by numerous large initials in blue and red, and by scroll work. Each leaf has two columns of text, in round gothic miniscule script, usually amounting to 35 lines per column. The vellum is very fine/ smooth; it is not waxy or stiff, & is lightly lined/scored by the scribe. We will supply a certificate of authenticity for each leaf. For other leaves offered, please see all our listings. Dimensions of each leaf: 160 mm x 110 mm, (6.3" x 4.4"); writing surface ca 112 mm x 75 mm (4.4" x 2.9") Pictured: Recto and verso of the leaves offered in this auction. The first two pictures are of both sides of the leaf pair. The last two photos are of the leaves with dates on them in old ink, and are shown for this purpose only; they are not for sale in this auction. Condition of this bifold: Very good condition; usual toning of vellum of this age. Minor soiling, marking or spotting.
One leaf of a Latin prayer book, handwritten on vellum Illuminated manuscript leaf from a Breviary (book of prayers), in Latin, presumably written in a scriptorium at Rome, Italy and signed on the second leaf of the manuscript: "a.[nno] Do[mini]1265 pater Spezzoni fecit" and on the first leaf rather illegibly "Romae ?? 1265 padre Sapparione?” ca.1265. Beautiful example of a medieval Latin manuscript on fine vellum. The writing is in dark brown ink, occasionally in red ink, embellished by numerous large initials in blue and red, and by scroll work. Each leaf has two columns of text, in round gothic miniscule script, usually amounting to 35 lines per column. The vellum is very fine/ smooth; it is not waxy or stiff, & is lightly lined/scored by the scribe. We will supply a certificate of authenticity for each leaf. For other leaves offered, please see all our listings. Dimensions: 160 mm x 110 mm, (6.3" x 4.4"); writing surface ca 112 mm x 75 mm (4.4" x 2.9") Pictured: Recto and verso of the leaf offered in this auction. The first two pictures are of both sides of the leaf. The last two photos are of the leaves with dates on them in old ink, and are shown for this purpose only; they are not for sale in this auction. Condition of this leaf: Very good condition; usual toning of vellum of this age. Minor soiling, marking or spotting. There is a small hole in the upper part of the leaf & a remnant attached of a leaf long ago torn out of the manuscript.
One leaf of a Latin prayer book, handwritten on vellum Illuminated manuscript leaf from a Breviary (book of prayers), in Latin, presumably written in a scriptorium at Rome, Italy and signed on the second leaf of the manuscript: "a.[nno] Do[mini]1265 pater Spezzoni fecit" and on the first leaf rather illegibly "Romae ?? 1265 padre Sapparione?” ca.1265. Beautiful example of a medieval Latin manuscript on fine vellum. The writing is in dark brown ink, occasionally in red ink, embellished by numerous large initials in blue and red, and by scroll work. Each leaf has two columns of text, in round gothic miniscule script, usually amounting to 35 lines per column. The vellum is very fine/ smooth; it is not waxy or stiff, & is lightly lined/scored by the scribe. Dimensions: 160 mm x 110 mm, (6.3" x 4.4"); writing surface ca 112 mm x 75 mm (4.4" x 2.9") Pictured: Recto and verso of the leaf offered in this auction. The first two pictures are of both sides of the leaf. The last two photos are of the leaves with dates on them in old ink, and are shown for this purpose only; they are not for sale in this auction. Condition of this leaf: Very good condition; usual toning of vellum of this age. Minor soiling, marking or spotting.
Book of Hours, Italy, 1460-1480 (no picture)
This leaf is from a Book of Hours, Use of Rome, in Latin, on vellum, Italy (possibly Tosvany) circa 1460-1480 (102mmX73mm). There are twelve lines, written in dark brown ink, in a rounded gothic liturgical hand with initials in embossed gold and othe in blue ink on red tendril ground. Verso: There are twelve lines, written in dark brown ink, in a rounded gothic liturgical hand. An elegant Italian Book of Hours possibly connected to the Florentine family of Pazzi. Some of leaves from this book, especially those with initials, are closely related to those of a manuscript of Eusebius written by Quirico da Prato in 1462.
A lovely original leaf from an illuminated medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of text written in Latin, on animal vellum. Ruled in red, written with dark brown ink, with red rubrics in fine rounded gothic script. Two illuminated two-line initials and eight illuminated one-line initials alternating in burnished gold with elaborate violet internal and external penwork, and deep blue with red internal and external penwork. The penwork extends from the two-line initial along the length of the leaf. This leaf measures 96 x 70 mm (3 ¾ x 2 ¾”).
This Book of Hours leaf originated in Northern Italy (probably Ferrara), c. 1470. This is an original, not a reproduction and its condition is as shown in the photos - there is obvious smudging and staining on this leaf. Please note that the “mustard” color that you see on the initials is gold that was used to illuminate this leaf over 500 years ago! The light reflection from the scan distorts the true gold color and brilliance of this feature.
The two-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 119 (King James 120) complete: “Ad dominum…” (In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me…). The two-line illuminated “L” begins Psalm 120 (KJ 121) 1-3: “Levavi…” (I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains from whence help shall come to me. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth…).
The colorful initials are characteristic of Ferrarese illumination of the 1470’s – especially the work of Guglielmo Giraldi (Ref: Toniolo, La miniature a Ferrara (1998), pp. 214-223). The precise and elegant penwork flourishing is also represented in manuscripts of that workshop and similar to the ornamentation found in the pattern book of Guinfortus de Vicomercato (Ref: J. G. Alexander, The Painted Page, London 1994, p. 109).
An original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of text written in Latin, on animal vellum. Ruled in red, written with dark brown ink, with red rubrics in fine rounded gothic script. This leaf measures 96 x 70 mm (3 ¾ x 2 ¾”).
This Book of Hours leaf originated in Northern Italy (probably Ferrara), c. 1470. This is an original, not a reproduction and its condition is as shown in the photos – there is some staining on the outer margins of the leaf.
This leaf continues a section of Devotions to the Virgin Mary. Line three begins the prayer: “Geminavit…” (The Root of Jesse hath budded, the Star hath come out of Jacob, the Virgin hath borne the Saviour: we praise thee, O our God.). Line six begins: “Ecce maria…” (Lo, Mary hath brought forth the Savior, of whom when John saw him he did proclaim, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Alleluia).
The colorful initials found in the parent book are characteristic of Ferrarese illumination of the 1470’s – especially the work of Guglielmo Giraldi (Ref: Toniolo, La miniature a Ferrara (1998), pp. 214-223).
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
A lovely original leaf from an illuminated medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of text written in Latin, on animal vellum. Ruled in red, written with dark brown ink, with red rubrics in fine rounded gothic script. One illuminated two-line initial and eleven illuminated one-line initials alternating in burnished gold with elaborate violet internal and external penwork, and deep blue with red internal and external penwork. The penwork extends from the two-line initial along the length of the leaf. This leaf measures 96 x 70 mm (3 ¾ x 2 ¾”).
This Book of Hours leaf originated in Northern Italy (probably Ferrara), c. 1470. This is an original, not a reproduction and its condition is as shown in the photos – there is some smudging and staining on the outer margins of the leaf. Please note that the “mustard” color that you see on the initials is gold that was used to illuminate this leaf over 500 years ago! The light reflection from the scan distorts the true gold color and brilliance of this feature.
The one-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 120 (King James 121) 4-8: “Ecce…” (Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel. The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand…). The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 129 (KJ 130) 1-6: “De profundis…” (Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication…).
The colorful initials are characteristic of Ferrarese illumination of the 1470’s – especially the work of Guglielmo Giraldi (Ref: Toniolo, La miniature a Ferrara (1998), pp. 214-223). The precise and elegant penwork flourishing is also represented in manuscripts of that workshop and similar to the ornamentation found in the pattern book of Guinfortus de Vicomercato (Ref: J. G. Alexander, The Painted Page, London 1994, p. 109).
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them. Sold
A manuscript leaf from a Book of Hours, written in Paris around 1520. The text is in a very regular hand in classic script in brown/black with the rubrics in red. Around the text is a cord-like decoration colored with liquid gold. The initials, one of them large, are in gold on a background of blue or red. The large initial on the recto has a very fine decoration- it is the initial of Psalm 39; we find this psalm in the Office of the Dead*, Matins :
Expectans expectavi Dominum et intendit mihi Et exaudivit preces meas et eduxit me de lacu miseriae et de luto fecis et statuit super petram pedes meos et direxit gressus meos Et exaudivit preces meas et eduxit me de lacu miseriae et de luto fecis et statuit super petram pedes meos et direxit gressus meos Et inmisit in os meum canticum novum carmen Deo nostro videbunt multi et timebunt et sperabunt in Domino.
With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me. And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps. And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.
N.B.!!! The scribe made a mistake : he left out a lot of verses ; on the verso in the lower margin he had to write the verses he had forgotten.
*Office of the Dead or with the old name : Office for the Dead. Roger S. Wieck says in his wonderful book "Painted Prayers" : "It was the cause of considerable anguish for medieval men and women to think of the potentially long periods of time their relatives would spend in the painful fires of purgatory. The ideal Christian death took place at home, in bed, surrounded by relatives and - most importantly -having confessed, been forgiven, and having just received Last Communion and Extreme Unction. Such a death cleansed the soul and ensured its immediate entry into heaven. As was its nature, however, death often caught its victims unprepared. It was assumed that most people's entry into heaven would be detoured by a stay in purgatory, a delay projected to last, judging from the indulgences of the time, potentially thousands of years. Along with the funding of funerary Masses, praying the Office was considered the most efficacious means of reducing this fiery price of obtaining paradise. These aids were essential, because only the living could help the dead."
"The fear of sudden death was a real one in the Middle Ages, plague and warfare always being imminent. One can see during the fifteenth century the development of the obsessive fascination with death, the skeletal spectre attacking indiscriminately, and with the symbols of death which remind us all of our mortality." Christopher de Hamel in his A history of illuminated manuscripts.
A very nice vellum leaf from a Book of Hours, written in France around 1400. On the verso the margin is full of small flowers. There are 5 one line initials and one two liner; all decorated in red, blue and gold leaf. The text is written in a batarde letter; on the recto we find part of the Song of Zacharias [ Luke 1 ]: [In holiness ] and justice before him: all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest: for thou shalt go before the face of our Lord, to prepare his ways. To give knowledge of salvation to his people: unto remission of their sins. Through the bowels of the mercy of our God in which the orient from on high, hath visited us. To illuminate them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace. Size : 14 x 10 cms ( ca 6 x 4 ins). Condition : good.
A very nice leaf from a Book of Hours, written on vellum in Bruges [ Flanders ] around 1440. The text is in regular Gothic bookhand with a beautiful initials in red, blue and much gold leaf! It is part of the prayers to all saints [ Omnes sancti.] and we find many well known saints in the list.
Size: 3.5 x 2.8 inch.
Condition: good.
A leaf from Book of Hours, Southern Netherlands, most likely Bruges, Use of Rome, circa 1460, in Latin, on vellum (174 x 112 mm.). This leaf is from a fragment lacking a minimum of fifteen leaves and all miniatures. There are sixteen lines ruled in red ink with a written space of 97 x 66 mm., written in gothic script in dark brown ink in a small and well-formed liturgical hand, rubrics are in red, capitals touched in red. The text of this leaf comes from a section the address the Introducrtion to the Mass. Verso: sixteen lines of gothic script written in dark brown ink. Condition of this leaf is Fine [F].
This Leaf is in Fine Condition and was created upon a sheet of high quality vellum. All of the gold utilized for the initials is fully intact with no chipping or flaking and the pen work is exquisite.US
Original 13th Century Medieval Illuminated Bible Leaf, Northern France (probably Paris), c. 1260
Text from Leviticus 8:35 –11:19
“…Moses said: This is the word, which the Lord hath commanded: do it, and his glory will appear to you…These are the animals which you are to eat of all the living things of the earth. Whatsoever hath the hoof divided, and cheweth the cud among the beats, you shall eat…”
A lovely original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible. Latin gothic micro-minuscule script, ruled in red and hand-written in brown ink in two columns of 43 lines, on animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers, three multi-lined illuminated Lombard style initials and elegant marginal penwork in red and blue. The calligraphy is excellent, and the vellum is of the finest quality, extremely thin and smooth. The gothic text is written in remarkably tiny and very well formed letters, so small that there are ten lines of text to the inch! This leaf measures 156 x 103 mm (6 ¼ x 4”).
This leaf contains text from Leviticus 8:35 – 11:19: “Die ac nocte…” (Day and night shall you remain in the tabernacle observing the watches of the Lord, lest you die: for so it hath been commanded me. And Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord spoke by the hand of Moses…Moses said: This is the word, which the Lord hath commanded: do it, and his glory will appear to you…These are the animals which you are to eat of all the living things of the earth. Whatsoever hath the hoof divided, and cheweth the cud among the beats, you shall eat. But whatsoever cheweth the cud among the beasts, you shall eat…).
This leaf originates from Northern France (probably Paris), c. 1260. This is an original, not a reproduction, and is in excellent condition as shown in the photos. The bible that contained this leaf was a very high-quality production, illuminated in Paris and similar to the accomplished work associated by Branner with the Dominican Painter (see Robert Branner, Manuscript Painting in Paris during the Reign of Saint Louis).
Provenance: the parent book was a “portable” Bible of the Crusades period, used in the study of theology or preaching of the Gospel around medieval countryside. It was in England by the 17th century; ex collection of Lord Saltoun and later in the famous collection of William Foyle (1885-1963) at Beeligh Abbey.
This is an original illuminated manuscript leaf of a Book of Hours, on vellum, Paris, France, ca. 1520 with a painted Miniature on Vellum (St. John),
Ca.109 mm by 165 mm. 18 lines of text on both sides, ruled space c. 115 mm by 63 mm, written in a dark brown and occ. red ink.
1 one-line-high Initial in liquid gold on blue ground. Full Borders on every side.
A wonderful miniature of St John. This is very rare.
A wonderful vellum leaf from a French Book of Hours, written at the end of the Middle Ages, around 1480, in Angers on the river Loire.
This region was well known for the many workshops for Books of Hours and many masters who worked there, as Jouvenel, Robinet Tesard and the Master of the Geneva Boccaccio, became famous.
There are many initials in red, blue and gold and line fillers in the same colours.
This leaf is from the beginning of the Book, the Hours of the Blessed Virgin, Matins.
To help you read it and brush up your Latin, here is the transcription of the recto : It is from the psalms 8 and 18:
[..pedi]bus eius, oues & boues vniuersas, per &pecora campi. Volucres coeli e t pisces maris, qui perambulant semitas maris. Domine dominus noster quàm admirabile est nomen tuum in vniuersa terra. Gloria patri. CAEli enarrant gloriam dei , et opera manuum eius annuntiat firmamentum. Dies diei eructat verbum, & nox nocti indicat scientiam.
Size : 15,1 x 10,3 cm [ ca 6 x 4 ins.]
Condition : very good.
The Book of Hours was for the lay man, but modeled on the Divine Office, a cycle of daily devotions, prayers and readings, performed by members of religious orders and the clergy. Its central text is the Hours of the Virgin.In the course of time various elements were added : the liturgical Calendar, Litany of the Saints, the Office of the Dead, the Penitential Psalms. ( See also : Illuminated Manuscripts by Michelle P.Brown.)
Prayers in the Book of Hours " helped round out the spiritual needs of late medieval and Renaissance men and women." ( Painted Prayers by Roger S. Wieck )
This Book of Hours was written in Normandy, around 1450, use of Coutances.It is attributed to Seigneur Richard du Mesnildot, Provost Royal of Coutances, 1489.
There are many initials and line fillers [ one is a flower ] in red, blue, white and gold leaf. The text is from the Office of the Dead*, psalm 26
[Vnam petii a domino] hanc requiram: vt inhabitem in domo domini: omnibus diebus vitae meae. V t videam voluntatem domini: et visitem templum eius. Qvoniam abscondit me in tabernaculo suo: in die malorum protexit me : in abscondito tabernaculi sui. In petra exaltauit m e: et nunc exaltauit caput meum: super inimicos meos.Circuiui et immolaui in….
[One thing I have asked of our Lord,] this will I seek for: that I may dwell in the house of our Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the will of our Lord: and visit his temple. Because he hath hid me in his tabernacle: in the day of evils he hath pro- tected me in the hidden place of his tabernacle. In a rock he hath exalted me: and now he hath exalted my head, over my enemies. I have gone round about, and have offered …
* Office of the Dead or with the old name : Office for the Dead. Roger S. Wieck says in his wonderful book "Painted Prayers" : "It was the cause of considerable anguish for medieval men and women to think of the potentially long periods of time their relatives would spend in the painful fires of purgatory. The ideal Christian death took place at home, in bed, surrounded by relatives and - most importantly -having confessed, been forgiven, and having just received Last Communion and Extreme Unction. Such a death cleansed the soul and ensured its immediate entry into heaven. As was its nature, however, death often caught its victims unprepared. It was assumed that most people's entry into heaven would be detoured by a stay in purgatory, a delay projected to last, judging from the indulgences of the time, potentially thousands of years. Along with the funding of funerary Masses, praying the Office was considered the most efficacious means of reducing this fiery price of obtaining paradise. These aids were essential, because only the living could help the dead."
"The fear of sudden death was a real one in the Middle Ages, plague and warfare always being imminent. One can see during the fifteenth century the development of the obsessive fascination with death, the skeletal spectre attacking indiscriminately, and with the symbols of death which remind us all of our mortality." Christopher de Hamel in his A history of illuminated manuscripts.
Size : 19 x 13.5 cms ( ca 8 x 5.5 inches )
Condition : good with wide margins, but a bit spotted.
The Book of Hours was for the lay man, but modeled on the Divine Office, a cycle of daily devotions, prayers and readings, performed by members of religious orders and the clergy. Its central text is the Hours of the Virgin.In the course of time various elements were added : the liturgical Calendar, Litany of the Saints, the Office of the Dead, the Penitential Psalms. ( See also : Illuminated Manuscripts by Michelle P.Brown.)
Prayers in the Book of Hours " helped round out the spiritual needs of late medieval and Renaissance men and women." ( Painted Prayers by Roger S. Wieck )
This Book of Hours was written in Normandy, around 1450, use of Coutances.It is attributed to Seigneur Richard du Mesnildot, Provost Royal of Coutances, 1489.
This leaf has 11 wonderful initials in red, blue, white and gold leaf, one with a bunch of flowers in the margin.
Here is the transcription and translation : [ it is part of the Hours of the Virgin, Lauds ]
[DEVS In adiutorium meum in]tende. Domine ad adiuuan-dum me festina. Gloria p[atri.] Sicut erat. Alleluya. A. maria virgo. DOMINUS Regnauit decorem in- dutus est: indutus est dominus fortitudinem & praecinxit se. Etenim firmauit orbem terrae: qui non commouebitur. Parata sedes t u a , ex tunc a seculo tu es. Eleuauerunt flumina domine: eleua-uerunt flumina vocem suam. Eleuauerunt flumina fluctus suos: a vocibus aquarum multarum. Mirabiles elationes maris: mirabilis in altis dominus. Testimonia tua credibili- a facta sunt nimis domum tuam decet san- ctitudo domine in longitudinem dierum. Gloria [ patri. ]
[Incline unto my aid, O God.] O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory [be to the Father.] As it was. Alleluya. A. Mary virgin. [Psalm [92]:] Our Lord hath reigned, he hath put upon him beauty: our Lord hath put upon him strength, and hath girded himself. For he hath established the round world: which shall not be moved. Thy seat is prepared from that time: thou art from everlasting. The rivers, O Lord, have lifted up: the rivers have lifted up their voice. The rivers have lifted up their waves: from the voices of many waters. The surges of the sea are marvelous: marvelous is our Lord in the high places. Thy testimonies are made credible exceedingly: holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, for length of days. Glory be to the Father.
Size : 19 x 13.5 cms ( ca 8 x 5.5 inches )
Condition : good with wide margins, but a bit spotted.
Original 13th Century Medieval Illuminated Bible Leaf, Northern France (probably Paris), c. 1260
Text from Leviticus 16:22 – 19:7
“…I am the Lord your God. Keep my laws and my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them. I am the Lord..."
A lovely original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible. Latin gothic micro-minuscule script, ruled in red and hand-written in brown ink in two columns of 43 lines, on animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers, three multi-lined illuminated Lombard style initials and elegant marginal penwork in red and blue. The calligraphy is excellent, and the vellum is of the finest quality, extremely thin and smooth. The gothic text is written in remarkably tiny and very well formed letters, so small that there are ten lines of text to the inch! This leaf measures 156 x 103 mm (6 ¼ x 4”).
This leaf contains Leviticus 16:22 – 19:7: “Cumque…” (When the goat hath carried all their iniquities into an uninhabited land and shall be let go into the desert, Aaron shall return into the tabernacle of the testimony…I am the Lord your God. Keep my laws and my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them. I am the Lord. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of they father, or the nakedness of they mother…Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, because it is an abomination…).
Note: Line 32, right front column, contains a scribal omission added lower margin – the correction is surrounded by red indicating that the “transcription had been systematically checked for accuracy” (De Hamel, Scribes and Illuminators, p. 43).
This leaf originates from Northern France (probably Paris), c. 1260. This is an original, not a reproduction, and is in excellent condition as shown in the photos. The bible that contained this leaf was a very high-quality production, illuminated in Paris and similar to the accomplished work associated by Branner with the Dominican Painter (see Robert Branner, Manuscript Painting in Paris during the Reign of Saint Louis).
Provenance: the parent book was a “portable” Bible of the Crusades period, used in the study of theology or preaching of the Gospel around medieval countryside. It was in England by the 17th century; ex collection of Lord Saltoun and later in the famous collection of William Foyle (1885-1963) at Beeligh Abbey.
Leaf from a medieval manuscript 15th century German Monastic Breviary in German script in black ink on Vellum (215x150mm.). There are thirty-four lines of brown inked script in a Germanic Gothic hand. There are a few minor initials in red ink as well as other rubrics. Verso: thirty-four lines of Gothic script and again a few minor initials in red ink. The text is from the end section of St. Bonaventure's Opera and possibly his sermons. The condition of this leaf is considered Fine [F].
This is an Original Medieval Manuscript Leaf from a richly decorated Book of Hours, which was made about 1480-1490 A.D. in the last third of the 15th Cent. in France, Paris.
Written and painted in a workshop under the Influence of the Maitre Francoise, a famoust artist of french medieval Bookart in the second half of the 15th. Cent.
Leaf size about 10,70 cm by 15,1 cm, written space about 5,5 cm by 8,5 cm. Written in latin in gothic letters with a brown and blue ink. 1 two-line-high Painted Flower Initial in several colours, hightened with liquid gold. Several one-line-high initials and linfillers. The panel borders (both sides) contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers, painted by hand in liquid gold and several colours.
YERY GOOD CONDITION. The light reflection from the scan distorts the true gold color and brilliance of this feature.
The Book of Hours was for the lay man, but modeled on the Divine Office, a cycle of daily devotions, prayers and readings, performed by members of religious orders and the clergy. Its central text is the Hours of the Virgin.In the course of time various elements were added : the liturgical Calendar, Litany of the Saints, the Office of the Dead, the Penitential Psalms. ( See also : Illuminated Manuscripts by Michelle P.Brown.)
Prayers in the Book of Hours " helped round out the spiritual needs of late medieval and Renaissance men and women." ( Painted Prayers by Roger S. Wieck )
This Book of Hours was written in Normandy, around 1450, use of Coutances.It is attributed to Seigneur Richard du Mesnildot, Provost Royal of Coutances, 1489.
This leaf has one wonderful initial in red, blue, white and gold leaf and with a bunch of flowers in the margin.
Here is the transcription and translation : [ it is part of the Office of the Dead*, Job 10 : 18-22]
QVARE De vulua eduxisti me? qui vtinam consumptus essem: ne o-culus meus videret. Fuissem quasi non essem de vtero translatus ad tumulum. Nunquid non paucitas dierum meorum finietur bre-ui? Dimitte me ergo vt plangam paululum dolorem meum antequam vadam & non reuer-tar ad terram tenebrosam et opertam mortis caligine. Terram miseriae et tenebrarum vbi vmbra mortis et nullus ordo: sed sempiternus horror inhabitans.
Why didst thou bring me forth out of the womb? Would God I had been consumed, that my eye might not see. I had been as if I were not, trans-ported from the womb to the grave. Shall not the fewness of my days be ended shortly? Suffer me therefore that I may a little lament my sorrow, before I go, and return not unto the land that is dark and covered with the mist of death, a land of misery, and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror inhabiteth.
*Office of the Dead or with the old name : Office for the Dead. Roger S. Wieck says in his wonderful book "Painted Prayers" : "It was the cause of considerable anguish for medieval men and women to think of the potentially long periods of time their relatives would spend in the painful fires of purgatory. The ideal Christian death took place at home, in bed, surrounded by relatives and - most importantly -having confessed, been forgiven, and having just received Last Communion and Extreme Unction. Such a death cleansed the soul and ensured its immediate entry into heaven. As was its nature, however, death often caught its victims unprepared. It was assumed that most people's entry into heaven would be detoured by a stay in purgatory, a delay projected to last, judging from the indulgences of the time, potentially thousands of years. Along with the funding of funerary Masses, praying the Office was considered the most efficacious means of reducing this fiery price of obtaining paradise. These aids were essential, because only the living could help the dead."
"The fear of sudden death was a real one in the Middle Ages, plague and warfare always being imminent. One can see during the fifteenth century the development of the obsessive fascination with death, the skeletal spectre attacking indiscriminately, and with the symbols of death which remind us all of our mortality." Christopher de Hamel in his A history of illuminated manuscripts.
Size : 19 x 13.5 cms ( ca 8 x 5.5 inches )
Condition : good with wide margins, but a bit spotted.
A wonderful vellum leaf from a French Book of Hours, written at the end of the Middle Ages, around 1480, in Angers on the river Loire.
This region was well known for the many workshops for Books of Hours and many masters who worked there, as Jouvenel, Robinet Tesard and the Master of the Geneva Boccaccio, became famous.
There are many initials in red, blue and gold and line fillers in the same colours.
This leaf is from the beginning of the Book, the Hours of the Blessed Virgin, Matins.
To help you read it and brush up your Latin, here is the transcription of the recto :
[medita]tio cordis mei in conspectus tuo semper. Domine adiutor meus & redemptor meus. Gloria patri. Psalm 23 DOmini est terra &plenitudo eius, orbis terrarum, & vniuersi qui habitant in eo. Qvia ipse super maria fundauit eum: &super flumina praeparauit eum. Qvis ascendet in montem domini aut quis stabit in ….
Size : 15,1 x 10,3 cm [ ca 6 x 4 ins.]
Condition : very good.
A Leaf from a medieval manuscript Bible with contemporary notes: Paris, France, mid 13th century, In Latin, on Vellum, (197x134mm.). There are fifty-five lines of double column text in microscopic-miniscule Gothic script; book headings, chapter numbers, one extra large versal initial "P" in red pen work with a large dragon in blue. Book of Esdras: Chapter 8 is contained within Chapter 7 and has no defined chapter heading. The chapter heading labeled Chapter 7 should actually been labeled Chapter 9. This error was probably created on the part of the scribe. Verso: There are fifty-five lines of double column text in microscopic-miniscule Gothic script. This Bible leaf also contains the "prickings" or marks that were created by the scribe prior to ruling the page as part of preparing each sheet of vellum for the script. Prickings were most often created with either an awl or a knife and due to the irregular borders of the marks on this leaf, (most notable at the bottom of the page), these prickings were created by the scribe's knife. Bible leaves have become exceddingly rare. Condition of this leaf is almost fine [F-] due to minor cut in the margin (less than 5 mm). A highly unusual leaf when one considers the scribal errors that were not corrected. Truly one of a kind,
A lovely original leaf from an illuminated medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of text written in Latin, on animal vellum. Ruled in red, written with dark brown ink, with red rubrics in fine rounded gothic script. One illuminated two-line initial in burnished gold with delicate violet internal and external penwork. The penwork extends from the two-line initial along the length of the leaf. This leaf measures 96 x 70 mm (3 ¾ x 2 ¾”).
This Book of Hours leaf originated in Northern Italy (probably Ferrara), c. 1470. This is an original, not a reproduction and its condition is as shown in the photos – there is staining on the outer margins and smudging and wear to the text on this leaf.
The illuminated “T” begins Lesson IX – Job 10:18-22: “Quare…” (Why didst thou bring me forth out of the womb…). The nine lessons from Job contain moving readings from Job detailing the trials he endured in his struggle for God’s blessings.
The colorful initials are characteristic of Ferrarese illumination of the 1470’s – especially the work of Guglielmo Giraldi (Ref: Toniolo, La miniature a Ferrara (1998), pp. 214-223). The precise and elegant penwork flourishing is also represented in manuscripts of that workshop and similar to the ornamentation found in the pattern book of Guinfortus de Vicomercato (Ref: J. G. Alexander, The Painted Page, London 1994, p. 109).
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
This is a NICE handwritten vellum Breviary page written circa 1380. This piece has 9 illuminated letters! It measures 4.25 x 6 inches. No tears or holes. The binding edge is a bit rough and there is an orange marking (almost looks like orange pencil marks) in one of the margins. Please check out the photos below.
A lovely original leaf from an illuminated medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of text written in Latin, on animal vellum. Ruled in red, written with dark brown ink, with red rubrics in fine rounded gothic script. One illuminated two-line initial in burnished gold with delicate violet and blue penwork that extends from the two-line initial along the length of the leaf; Seven illuminated one-line initials alternating in burnished gold with delicate blue internal and external penwork, and deep blue with delicate red internal and external penwork. This leaf measures 96 x 70 mm (3 ¾ x 2 ¾”).
This Book of Hours leaf originated in Northern Italy (probably Ferrara), c. 1470. This is an original, not a reproduction and its condition is as shown in the photos – there is some staining in the outer margins and smudging and wear to the text on this leaf.
This leaf begins with Psalm 50 (King James 51) 15-21: “Iniquos vias…” (I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee…O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise…). The two-line illuminated “D” opens Psalm 101 (KJ 102): “Domine…” (Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee…).
The colorful initials are characteristic of Ferrarese illumination of the 1470’s – especially the work of Guglielmo Giraldi (Ref: Toniolo, La miniature a Ferrara (1998), pp. 214-223). The precise and elegant penwork flourishing is also represented in manuscripts of that workshop and similar to the ornamentation found in the pattern book of Guinfortus de Vicomercato (Ref: J. G. Alexander, The Painted Page, London 1994, p. 109).
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
A beautifully decorated vellum leaf from a Book of Hours, written in France around 1450. The decoration : penwork with all 15 initials in red, blue and black; gold leaf on many initials and line fillers!
In the margin you can still see the “prickings “ that were made to rule the leaves; mostly they were cut off by the binder.
The text is from Psalm 68 [69 in most bibles!] which we find in the Office of the Dead.
Office of the Dead or with the old name : Office for the Dead. Roger S. Wieck says in his wonderful book "Painted Prayers" : "It was the cause of considerable anguish for medieval men and women to think of the potentially long periods of time their relatives would spend in the painful fires of purgatory. The ideal Christian death took place at home, in bed, surrounded by relatives and - most importantly -having confessed, been forgiven, and having just received Last Communion and Extreme Unction. Such a death cleansed the soul and ensured its immediate entry into heaven. As was its nature, however, death often caught its victims unprepared. It was assumed that most people's entry into heaven would be detoured by a stay in purgatory, a delay projected to last, judging from the indulgences of the time, potentially thousands of years. Along with the funding of funerary Masses, praying the Office was considered the most efficacious means of reducing this fiery price of obtaining paradise. These aids were essential, because only the living could help the dead."
"The fear of sudden death was a real one in the Middle Ages, plague and warfare always being imminent. One can see during the fifteenth century the development of the obsessive fascination with death, the skeletal spectre attacking indiscriminately, and with the symbols of death which remind us all of our mortality." Christopher de Hamel in his A history of illuminated manuscripts.
Size : 17 x 11.5 cm [ ca 7 x 4.5 ins ]
Condition : very good.
A very nice vellum leaf of a French Book of Hours, written around 1450 in Paris [or Rouen ?]. The first thing we observe is the neat, regular script : the letters are formed with an almost printed-like regularity in two sizes!
The main text is written in brown/black ink.
Then there is the elaborate pen work : around the initials it is very complicated and embellished with gold leaf : very narrow strips of gold, pasted on with egg white and Arabic gum to the parchment. Even the line fillers are done with gold!
Size : 17 x 11.5 cms [ ca 7 x 4.5 ins ]
Condition : good with some staining.
The Book of Hours was for the lay man, but modelled on the Divine Office, a cycle of daily devotions, prayers and readings, performed by members of religious orders and the clergy. Its central text is the Hours of the Virgin. In the course of time various elements were added : the liturgical Calendar, Litany of the Saints, the Office of the Dead, the Penitential Psalms. ( See also : Illuminated Manuscripts by Michelle P.Brown.)
Prayers in the Book of Hours " helped round out the spiritual needs of late medieval and Renaissance men and women." ( Painted Prayers by Roger S. Wieck )
This Book was written on vellum around 1450 in France.
This leaf has 29!! initials and 25 line fillers [one is a flower ] in red, blue, white and sparkling gold leaf.
The text is from the Litany* and here are some names that you will recognize: Stephan, Clemens, Vincent, Sebastian, Nicholae etc. You will see that some lines start with an ‘O’ instead of an ‘S’: those lines are prayers to Omnes sancti, All saints. [ All holy apostles and evangelists, All disciples of the Lord and All the holy innocents = the children who were massacred in Bethlehem.] After the names we see : ‘or’ the short form of ‘ora pro nobis ‘, pray for us.
*“The Litany is a hypnotic enumeration of saints whom one asked to pray for us.
It begins with Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison [ Lord, Christ, have mercy.]
Then we see a list of saints, starting with the Virgin, followed by archangels, angels, John the Baptist [ our future intercessor at the Last Judgment.] Next are the apostles, male martyrs, confessors [ male nonmartyr saints], female virgin martyrs and widows. [ These ranked categories reflect the hierarchy not only of heaven but also of medieval society!] From : Painted Prayers, by Roger S. Wieck, a wonderful book on medieval Books of Hours.
Size : 16 x 12.5 cms ( ca 6.5 x 5 inches )
Condition : good, with wide margins.
Very decorative leaf from a Latin breviary (A liturgical book used for the celebration of the Divine Office. All members of monastic orders and the clergy are committed to the daily recitation of the breviary. It was popularized by the Dominicans and the Franciscans in the 13th century.) written on vellum in France around 1400.
The text is in a single column in black with red rubrics; four wonderful initials in several colours on a background of polished gold leaf, glued on the vellum with egg white and Arabic gum. Inside the initials are miniature paintings of flowers!!
In the margins on the recto are flowers and leaves on very thin tendrils in gold, blue and red.
Size : 96 x 70 mms [ ca 4 x 3 ins ].
Condition : very good.
An original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours, written and illuminated in Rouen, France, circa 1500-1510. The leaf contains twenty lines of gothic text in Latin, handwritten in brown and red ink on heavy animal vellum. Guidelines ruled in red. The recto features seven illuminated one-line initials of heavy burnished gold on backgrounds of red and blue with white tracery, and three line fillers of similar design. The verso is beautifully illuminated with six gold initials, one two-line and five one-line, four line fillers, and a very nice panel border in full colors of acanthus and flowers with liquid gold.
The leaf measures approximately 12 x 17 cm and is in excellent condition. There is some light thumbing to the outer margin and minor soiling, all visible in the scans. The scans do not adequately capture the quality of the gold used to illuminate this leaf.
Six bound parchment leaves with drawing and writing, 15:th century
Pic1,
Pic2,
Pic3,
Pic4,
Pic5,
Pic6,
Pic7
This seems to be a practice manuscript of some sort. It was bound in with a 15th century manuscript. The last two leaves look considerably older than the first four leaves. They are all parchment, not paper.
Leaf size: 7.5 " T x 5.25 " W (190 mm x 135 mm).
Minor spotting or marking.
An original leaf from a small manuscript Book of Hours beautifully hand written and illuminated in Paris, circa 1520. The leaf is hand written in a roman book script in brown and red ink on heavy animal vellum. The text is from the calendar that begins every Book of Hours, and lists the feast days for April. The recto includes the large illuminated "KL" , for Kalends, in liquid gold on a red background with gold tracery. Both sides contain two small initials of similar design, as well as a fine rope border of liquid gold.
To the left of the saints names are the Golden Numbers used to calculate the appearances of new and full moons, and the Dominical Letters used to determine Sundays. The more important feast days are listed in red ink, from which is derived the term "red letter day".
This leaf was created during the last years of manuscript book production. Printers such as Hardouyn and Vostre were active in Paris at this time, and quickly becoming formidable competition for illuminators and scribes. Manuscripts such as this example mark the end of an era. The leaf measures approximately 4.25 x 6.5 inches and is in excellent condition. The vellum is unusually clean and bright, with only very minor thumbing and spotting at the outer margin, all visible in the scans. The scans do not adequately capture the quality of the gold.
Interesting text! An original leaf from a small manuscript Book of Hours beautifully hand written and illuminated in Paris, circa 1520. Eighteen lines of Latin text in brown and red ink on very fine animal vellum hand written in a roman book script. The recto features seven one-line initials of liquid gold on alternating blue and red backgrounds. The initials are highlighted with liquid gold tracery. The verso contains three similarly illuminated one-line initials. In addition there are two two-line initials, including a beautifully painted "V" in pink, gray and white against a liquid gold background. On both sides the text is enclosed in a fine rope border of liquid gold.
The large initial "V" begins Psalm 5.."Verba mea auribus percipe Domine intellege clamorem meum. Intende voci orationis meae rex meus et Deus meus." ("Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God.")
This leaf was created during the last years of manuscript book production. Printers such as Hardouyn and Vostre were active in Paris at this time, and quickly becoming formidable competition for illuminators and scribes. Manuscripts such as this example mark the end of an era. The leaf measures approximately 4.25 x 6.5 inches and is in excellent condition. The vellum is clean and bright, with light spotting and thumbing at the outer margin and one small initial very lightly rubbed, as seen in the scan. The scans do not adequately capture the quality of the gold.
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